Mother passed along the landing, saw her daughter's open door.
Stood amazed to see the neatness! Not a thing upon the floor!
Every item neat and tidy, every feature spick and span!
This was so unlike her Mandy! A scruffy girl since her life began!
Then she saw her daughter's pillow, and on the pillow a folded note.
With shaking fingers she displayed it! What were the words that Mandy wrote?
The worst of all her fears were realised! This was , indeed, a dreadful text!
She read one line, then read another! What on earth was coming next?
*'Dear Mummy! I have news to tell you. I have run away for good.I am living in a hovel deep inside a distant wood.I am living with my lover; he's a man of sixty-three.You may think this quite excessive, but it seems alright to me.He has some children he's supporting; he's been married several times.And he's just come out of prison; he's committed minor crimes.I agree, there's not much money, but I can work I'm very strong!I'm fifteen, so I'll support him! We are sure to get along!Once the baby's born he'll mind it while I work to earn a crust.Abdul will be such a father! He is someone I can trust.He's got AIDS but not too badly; he can cultivate our plot;Already he has done a good job! We've got our own supply of pot!Goodbye to all my friends and family! Don't search for me! I've gone to ground.Thank you for my happy childhood! Believe me, I shall not be found!'
*
Mother reeled away in horror! Gone was all her happiness!
Then she saw some further writing! Mandy had added a P.S.!
*'When you read my school report you'll see the awful marks I've got.I know that you'll be disappointed because you'll see I've failed the lot!But, compared with what I've written things are really not too bad.I'm next-door! When you've recovered I'll come home to you and Dad!'
*

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About Me

Born in England in 1931. Evacuated in World War 2. Trained as a teacher at Brighton Training College, Sussex. Taught in London. Moved to Zimbabwe. Seven years later worked on a mail ship. Married Malcolm in Capetown. Two children, Rebecca and Greg. Moved to Australia in 1974. After retirement worked for a publisher. Three grandsons, Blake, Harry and Max. Disabled by stroke in 2013. Now in wheelchair with husband as carer..